South Gambier V North Gambier
Saturday’s round 7 one day games will be the last game before the break for the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association.
South Gambier will host North Gambier at Blue Lake Sports Park in what is a must-win for both sides to set up the second half of the seasons.
North Gambier has only one win to its name after last week’s game against Penola was washed out, so it will need to dig deep against South to go into the break with the chance to make finals.
South Gambier is travelling well with three wins, and if the side can make it, it has the potential to start next year on top of the table.
If that is to happen South will need a response from its batsmen after a disappointing loss to East Gambier where players failed to face the 40 overs and make more than a hundred runs.
North Gambier’s batting line-up has looked stronger in the past few weeks and if it can bowl well the side will be right in the contest.
South will feel it has the edge after a comfortable win at Marist Park less than a month ago.
With South’s bowling attack proving to be a strong outfit, it is sure to be a close encounter.
Penola Vs Mil Lel
Mil Lel will travel to Penola to take on the Eagles at home in what is an absolute must-win for Mil Lel if it wants to go into the break with a win under its belt.
They find themselves up against tough competition in Penola who has been one of the best teams in the competition so far.
Mil Lel will look to bounce back after its loss to West Gambier last week where the side was bowled out for 51. Their bowling was certainly a positive as they were able to get West seven players down for only 58 runs.
If Mil Lel can back up the performance with the ball it gives them a shot against a tough opposition.
Penola won with a fair amount of comfort when the two sides came up against each other in round 4, so the Eagles will believe if they can play well they will get the points easily and go into 2023 nicely placed on the ladder.
East Gambier Vs West Gambier
West Gambier finished the sixth round of the Barber Shield on top of the table and if it wants to go into the break in the top spot a win against East Gambier will be crucial, with wins from other teams potentially knocking them off.
East Gambier will be confident after a comprehensive win against South last week, with a strong performance with bat and ball.
If the players can perform as well as last week, West will struggle to get a look in and the captains will be key for both sides.
East captain Alex Hentschke is coming off 4/23 and a handy innings with the bat.
West’s Jake Blackwell has struggled with the bat since his two 50s in round 1 and 3, but after his golden duck last week he’ll be looking to bounce back into some form that can carry over to the second half of the season.
The round 4 game between the two teams was abandoned due to rain so they’ll both be looking to prove they are the better side, as the stage is set for a highly entertaining battle between two top of the table teams.
The round 7 games will be crucial for every teams’ finals’ success, for Mil Lel and North a loss could mean finals are far out of reach, for West, South, East and Penola they’ll be battling to start the new year on top.
Taking momentum into 2023 is important and this round is sure to be an enthralling one as we approach the second half of the season.
